Workshop "The Future of Electric Public Transport"

On 12 March 2013 TROLLEY project partners met with other stakeholders from all over Europe for a workshop in Brussels.

Together with representatives of the European Commission and Central Europe programme, electro mobility experts from academia, the public and private sector discussed the potential of trolleybuses for the electrification of public transport and for reaching Europe’s zero emission targets in the near future.

As one highlight of the event, TROLLEY project partners handed over a collection of TROLLEY Declarations signed by 70 different stakeholders across Europe to the European Commission (photo from left to right: Frank Schneider, JTS Central Europe; Patrick Mercier-Handisyde, DG RTD, European Commission; Hugues van Honacker, DG MOVE, European Commission; Gunter Mackinger, Director Salzburg AG). The high number of signatories proves the widespread support of trolleybuses as a sustainable electric mode of urban transportation.

Speakers from public transport operators, city and transport authorities gave insight into their practical experience with trolleybus operations, showing that the trolleybus is a proven, stable and energy-efficient technology which is readily available in order to meet the ambitious emission reduction targets of the European Union.

Also, the local transport operator informed about the kick-off of a feasibility study a feasibility study for the introduction of trolleybus operations in Brussels.The study is part of the “Ticket to Kyoto” project aiming to reduce CO2 emissions in public transport.

The results of the workshop will feed into the Innovation and Research Agenda of TROLLEY’s Roadmap, which aims to contribute to the development of the future transport research and innovation policy and the implementation of the EU Transport White Paper. The TROLLEY Roadmap will be reviewed by UITP’s experts as Input for the EBSF Roadmap (European Bus System of the Future) to have a concerted view on future trolleybus and ebus systems.